Fun For All Ages

Arts & Crafts Festival Brings Entertainment To Randolph

June 15, 2014

RANDOLPH - A chilly day didn't keep enthusiastic festival goers away from Randolph's 42nd Annual Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday. The festivities included everything from the obvious arts and crafts to great food and wine tasting.

Crafters, artisans and people who were at the event to simply enjoy the festivities filled Randolph's Main Street. The day was packed with lots of activities and live musical entertainment, which was performed on the lawn of Forget-Me-Not Flowers & Gifts.

The festival started out with the Mason's Pancake Breakfast, at the Randolph Fire Hall, where diners enjoyed stacks of pancakes, sausage and a cup of coffee.

Article Photos

The “Beautiful Baby Contest” was held on the lawn of Senn-sations Salon & Day Spa where a king and queen were selected during Randolph’s Arts & Crafts Festival Saturday. From left, King Ashton with mom, Randi Sears, and Queen Aryana with mom, Erica Dybka.

Live entertainment kicked off in the morning with country band Lake Effects. In the afternoon, Higher Ground, featuring local musicians Conrad and Sylvia Mighells, along with Bucky Young, performed their special style of country/gospel music, which was followed by Expressions Performing Arts Center, a local dance studio that entertained the crowd with a great performance.

New this year was a display of 12 vintage wedding gowns and dresses at the Randolph Historical Society and an art show featuring the artwork of students from Randolph Central School at the Randolph Library.

Back again this year was the ever-popular "Beautiful Baby Contest," which was held on the lawn of Senn-sations Salon & Day Spa. The event gave moms and dads a chance to show off their "pride and joy" and win bragging rights, as well as a prize. King Ashton, son of Alan and Randi Sears; and Queen Aryana, daughter of Christopher and Erica Dybka, reigned over the event.

In addition to the many talented crafters and artisans who displayed their wares in the downtown area, the popular Quilt Show was held in the Community Room of the municipal building and the Presbyterian Church held its lawn sale in front of the church on Main Street. The Randolph Garden Club displayed their plants on the lawn of the library where members were ready to offer gardening advice, as well as sign up some new members.

Of particular interest was Eagle Dream, Raptor Rehab & Education featuring birds of prey. The rehabilitation center has the ability to rescue, rehabilitate and return to the wild, animals that have been injured. On display were several live owls, a hawk and a turkey vulture.

The dunk tank, sponsored by Simply Natural Alpaca Gift Shop and Randolph Retail Company, delighted participants as they aimed to give their victim a dreaded dip in the water. Radiantly You sponsored a bounce house, which gave the little ones a way to burn off some of their energy.

Executive Director Tonia Hall, of the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation, announced that several other upcoming events are scheduled for this summer. The first performance of the Friday Night Summer Concert Series will kick-off June 28, featuring "Doc & Bill" with Irish pub tunes and other folk favorites. Randolph's annual town-wide lawn sale is scheduled for July 25-26. In its seventh year, Camp Weeden will offer summer activities for local children July 1-31. Kids Day is scheduled to begin Aug. 16. More information on these activities will come at a later date. For more details on the summer activities, contact Hall at (716) 358-9701, ext. 208, or go online at www.enjoyrandolphny.com.